October 6, 2021
Message from Rev. Paula
Beloved Community,

I cannot believe that once again, I get to say, "Welcome back!" And I'm thrilled to say that we will also be able to say, "Welcome, Grace!" This Sunday, not only do we get to worship in our sparkling clean and sweet smelling nave, we get to do it with Grace and her family!

There is so much going on here at St. Stephen's, both within our walls and beyond our borders. So, I will end with one of my favorite verses of Scripture (Isaiah 43:19) after inviting you to scroll down to get the update on our various ministries. New this month? A section devoted to our very own Children & Youth Ministries.

I am about to do a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
Connection & Common Worship
UPDATE: Welcome Back!
In-person worship resumes this Sunday, October 10 at 10:00am

It will be wonderful to welcome you back and to be with each other in our church once again!

We will be celebrating the Eucharist and ALL are welcome!
REMINDERS: We continue to follow safety precautions and lovingly require that you wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times while in the building and maintain physical distance. Enter at the Narthex door (Christian Education building). Someone will welcome you and take your temperature. An usher will assist you with seating in the church.

Live-streamed to YouTube, Facebook, and via Zoom. Bulletins are available on the St. Stephen's website. All links can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.

Zoom passcode is SSM119.

The Sunday service will also be broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) on Tuesday at 6 AM and 3 PM.
READING WITH THE RECTOR
OCTOBER 10
11:30am - 1:00pm

This month we are discussing
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper.

This is a hybrid meeting. Join us in the Common Room or join the Zoom meeting here.
The password is SSM119.
The meeting ID is 858 8331 1463.
INTERFAITH BIBLE HOUR
On Friday, November 6 at 9:00am, we will meet via Zoom with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Temple B'nai Jeshurun to talk about the Book of Genesis.

Join us via Zoom here.
The password is SSM119.
The meeting ID is 865 4375 6895.

Please feel free to join us even if you haven't before.

If you'd like a copy of the text, please call or text Rev. Paula by 8:30 on Friday.
Children & Youth Ministries
Welcome, Grace!

Grace Savoia-DiGregorio is official! She began her work as Children & Youth Minister last week. We look forward to November 7th, which for us is both the First Sunday in Lent (We observe an extended Advent.) and the first Sunday of in-person Children's Chapel and nursery. We'll be sharing lots more information about that in the next few weeks but in the meantime, put these events on your calendar. These are planned for families with children of all-ages though ALL are welcome.

  • Thursday, October 14th at 7pm we're having a Zoom meet and greet. This is for all families with children, from infants to teens. It will be a chance to see each other and talk with Grace and Rev. Paula.
  • Join us on Zoom here
  • Password SSM119
  • Meeting ID 849 7892 2818
  • Sunday, October 17th at 1:00pm we're Walking in Love
Join us at the South Mountain Reservation (opposite the Millburn Public
Library), where we'll hike the Fairy Trail. Fun and it benefits Cross Roads
Camp and Family Promise Essex County.
  • Sunday, October 24th at 1:00pm we're having a Halloween Party
Join us for a family-friendly Halloween Party. We'll do some simple crafts
and enjoy some yummy snacks. This will be an outdoor event so dress
accordingly and be sure to wear your favorite costume.

To help us plan, please let us know to expect you. You can email
childrenandyouth@ststephensmillburn.org or call the office at 973.376.0688,
ext 32.
Faithful Outreach
WALK IN LOVE WITH REV. PAULA AND GRACE!!!

Join Rev. Paula and Grace for Walk in Love: Part 2. There're going to hike the Fairy Trail at the South Mountain Reservation and would love to have you join us.

This hike will benefit Cross Roads and Family Promise Essex, two of our favorite ministry partners. If you don't want to hike but want to support this faithful crew, you can share the love by donating here. Be sure to choose "Outreach: Walk in Love" in the top right.
The Rally for Cross Roads may be over, but there's still time to support these overachievers, who hiked 10K (a little over 6 miles) in the South Mountain Reservation on Saturday. You can donate here.
FAMILY PROMISE
Low-income families in this country are facing unprecedented social and economic challenges from the pandemic. Job losses, health care expenses, and child-care have all combined to raise the number of evictions.

A donation can help Family Promise of Essex County to remain responsive to families’ emerging needs and its impact in our communities.

To read the Family Promise Newsletter, please click here.


APOSTLES' HOUSE &
NORTH PORCH
Collection bins are located outside the Narthex doors in the parking lot. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

Apostles' House needs: canned goods and non-perishable food items. 

North Porch is in URGENT need of Enfamil Infant Formula 12.5 oz containers (yellow label), baby wipes, and diapers size 4, 5, and 6.

Online Donations - If you are unable to drop off items at the church, and would like to contribute, you can make purchases and/or donations directly to these organizations at the following links:


The Apostles' House Donation Link
North Porch Donation Link

From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church
THE BISHOP'S VLOG - Week of 10/6/21
NEW: Boldness

Bishop Hughes talks about the concept of boldness as a guiding principle both as a diocesan community and as individual members of it. "We believe that God is calling us to bold faith, bold love and bold actions and that together we are creating communities of love."
 
The VOICE Online Link Week of 10/6/21



DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.


FUNERAL SERVICE
The Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong’s funeral service will be held on Friday, October 15 at 11am at St. Peter’s Morristown. A reception will follow.

For more information, click here.


Wednesday, October 27
7:00 - 8:15pm

An online conversation with the First Five Black Women Diocesan Bishops. Moderated by Westina Matthews, Bishops Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows (The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis), Carlye J. Hughes (The Episcopal Diocese of Newark), Kimberly Lucas (The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado), Shannon MacVean-Brown (The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont), and Phoebe A. Roaf (The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee) will offer honest wisdom and experiences relevant to this complex time in American life. Register here.
Cross Roads Camp & Diocesan Youth Ministries
CROSS ROADS
CAMP & RETREAT CENTER

Check out all the fun and interesting year-round programs for children, adults and families.

Click here for more information.
POP UP YOUTH MINISTRY
Pop Up is a welcoming ministry of the Diocese of Newark bringing together youth for fun activities, community, and faith formation. All youth grades 6-12 are encouraged to join the monthly events. Follow YM on Instagram and Facebook at @popupym.
Resources During Covid
There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time. See resources here. This is by no means a complete list, though it does cover many areas of need.

In this time of Crisis, there are resources that can help if you or someone you know needs assistance. Please contact NJ Mental Health Cares for free helpline telephone counseling or assistance. Call 866-202-4357.
TTY: 1-877-294-4356.
E-mail: help@njmentalhealthcares.org

Other resources are:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line, 741741
NJ Hope Line (suicide prevention) 
855-654-6735
Prayer List
Please keep the following
St. Stephen's family members and friends in
your prayers...
Ian Janeczko
Peggy Thompson
Felder Dorn
Donna Riggi
The Blanchard Family
The McManus Family
Bernard & Nathan
The Fitzgerald Family
Lucille B.
Jack Moreno
Jim Freeman
The May Family
Mary Jo Zarance
Joseph G.
Kelly Olson
Jane Rossiter
Linda Moran
Greg Shuss
Matthew Price
Nicole & Emma
Ningyu Liu
Jamie Stack
KT Thalin
Mike Losito
Kathleen Wheeler
Theresa Scharff
John & Cara Lynn Cavin


We give thanks for the
life of Dan Bullock who entered into greater glory on September 5th. Dan was Fran Taber's cousin.
Sunday Lectionary
October 10, 2021

Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 22:1-15
Mark 10:17-31

If you'd like to read the full lectionary for the week, you may do so here.
Giving with Tithe.ly
TITHE.LY
Giving with Tithe.ly is easy with options for recurring donations or one-time use for when you are away or not able to be in church (like all of us now due to COVID restrictions).

You can access Tithe.ly via their website or their app on your smart phone. Be sure to search for the correct account - "St. Stephen's Church Millburn." Once you have accessed the account page with our address, you will be instructed to follow the prompts.
Office Notes
Due to COVID restrictions, only teachers and staff are allowed to be in the building during school hours. If you need to visit the parish office/building for any reason, please contact us for an appointment. Thank you.
Important Links
Zoom Links
Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media
Website Links
Other Social Media Links
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
Church

Parish Administrator, Maria T. Card
973.376.0688, Ext. 32
church@ststephensmillburn.org

Rector, The Rev. Paula J. Toland
973.376.0688, Ext. 21
rector@ststephensmillburn.org

Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org

Preschool

Director: Nancy Siracusa
Phone: 973.376.3534, Ext. 20
Email: sspsmillburn@gmail.com